Man Wanted For Gov. Threats Called Lawyers Too

A Monticello, Minnesota, man is wanted for making threats against South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and his family.

The threats happened a week ago, but the charges were filed Wednesday.

William Roman Becker, 53, is the man authorities are looking for and they believe he could be dangerous. Authorities think Becker could be in southeast South Dakota or southwest Minnesota.

The threats to the governor were made over the phone and were turned over for capitol security to investigate. Becker is still on the run, but investigators aren't saying what kind of threats he made.

Besides being wanted for threatening the governor and his family, Becker is wanted in Brookings County for drug charges. Brookings County State's Attorney Clyde Calhoon says Becker also called him on September 20, the same day Becker called the governor, and made threats against him.

Becker's court-appointed attorney in the case doesn't want to represent him anymore either because of recent threats Becker has made to his office. Rick Ribstein has been representing Becker on possession with intent to distribute marijuana charges since November 2010 when Becker was arrested in Brookings for allegedly selling marijuana in the parking lot of the Super 8.

Ribstein made a filing two weeks ago asking to be removed as Becker’s attorney because he says that Becker continues to claim that he has 'terminated' Ribstein's services, and on 'numerous occasions' he has called Ribstein's Brookings office and left inappropriate phone messages including 'vulgar comments' and 'threatening statements' against female staff members.

A man claiming to be Becker's brother-in-law contacted KELOLAND News Thursday afternoon and said that Becker was calling the governor last week to complain about Calhoon, who Becker claims was threatening him. Becker’s brother-in-law says this is a misunderstanding and claims his relative is, “not crazy and would never hurt a fly.”

Calhoon says he didn't make any threatening statements against Becker.

The governor's office does not comment on security matters and the Department of Public Safety says "there are protective measures in place," for the governor.